Château Durfort-Vivens

Elegance and biodynamics in Margaux - Second Grand Cru Classé

Château Durfort-Vivens wines: buy at the best price!  

Château Durfort-Vivens, a true gem of the Margaux appellation, is a prestigious wine estate, renowned for the elegance and finesse of its wines. Classified as a 2nd Grand Cru in the famous 1855 Bordeaux wine classification, this château combines respect for tradition with modern innovation to bring out the best of its terroir. A pioneer in biodynamic farming within the Margaux appellation, the estate is today a model of excellence, both ecologically and gastronomically. 

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86 - 91

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Durfort Vivens 1982 -10% DISCOUNT !
-10%
3 in stock
75250
Red
75cl
Damaged
87/100
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Bordeaux | Margaux

Durfort Vivens 1982 -10% DISCOUNT !

€183.60 inc-VAT per bottle €204.00 inc-VAT -10%
€153.00 ex-VAT

History of Château Durfort-Vivens

The history of Château Durfort-Vivens begins in the 14th century, when the Durfort de Duras family, descended from a powerful lineage from south-west France, settled in Margaux and established a hunting lodge on their lands. It was not until the 17th century that the hunting lodge became a fully-fledged wine estate. However, the real turning point came in 1758, when the château was ceded to George Ainslie, a Scottish wine merchant. He made the estate prosper and, through a marriage into the Vivens family, his name was joined to that of Durfort in 1824, marking the birth of Château Durfort-Vivens.

The château gained increasing recognition, culminating in 1855 when it was classified as a 2nd Grand Cru in the famous Bordeaux wine classification, initiated for the Universal Exhibition in Paris. Despite some more difficult decades, the property has always remained at the heart of the Bordeaux wine elite.

In 1937, the Lurton family, an influential dynasty of Bordeaux winegrowers, acquired the estate. Lucien Lurton, a great champion of the Bordeaux terroir, took the reins of the château in 1961 and strove to modernize production while preserving the unique character of its wines. His son Gonzague Lurton succeeded him in 1992, with the ambition of making Durfort-Vivens a model of sustainable agriculture, introducing biodynamic farming in 2009. This visionary approach was crowned with success in 2016 with the Organic and Biodynamic certifications, making Château Durfort-Vivens the first Grand Cru Classé of Margaux to obtain these dual certifications.

Château Durfort-Vivens receives a 96/100 from Robert Parker for its 2019 vintage, a recognition that underscores the elegance and complexity of this classified growth from Margaux.

Terroirs and Vines of Château Durfort-Vivens

The vineyard of Château Durfort-Vivens extends over approximately 65 hectares, spread across the Médoc communes of Cantenac, Soussans, Margaux, and Arsac, at the heart of the Margaux appellation, on the left bank. This exceptional terroir is composed of deep gravel, a type of soil made up of pebbles and sands deposited by rivers over millennia. These gravels are distributed across three distinct geological terraces, forming a true mosaic of terroirs, rich in diversity.

These stony soils allow for excellent drainage, forcing the vines to plunge their roots deep in search of nourishment, which contributes to the complexity and finesse of the wines produced. The estate also distinguishes itself through an innovative approach to precision viticulture, with detailed analysis of soils and their microbiology, as well as practices such as intra-plot seeding and the preservation of the Médoc's plant heritage.

The grape variety composition of Château Durfort-Vivens is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (90%), complemented by Merlot (8%) and Cabernet Franc (2%). A small part of the vineyard is also planted with Muscadelle and Castets, rarer grape varieties that add a unique note to certain cuvées. The vines are old, with an average age of 50 years, which enhances the complexity and intensity of the wines produced.

Winemaking at Château Durfort-Vivens

At Château Durfort-Vivens, winemaking is a rigorous and precise art, aimed at respecting the expression of the terroir as fully as possible. After entirely manual harvesting, the grapes are carefully sorted and vinified plot by plot, in order to preserve the unique characteristics of each terroir.

The fermentation process takes place in a combination of concrete, wooden, and — more recently — clay amphora tanks. The use of amphorae, which began in 2017, is an innovation that allows for controlled oxygenation of the wine, thereby promoting the pure expression of fruit and terroir without the more pronounced influences of wood. This practice is particularly well-suited to Cabernet Sauvignon, which makes up the bulk of the château's cuvées.

After fermentation, the wines are aged for approximately 18 months in a combination of French oak barrels (with approximately 40% new wood renewal each year) and clay amphorae. This dual aging process allows for a perfect balance between structure, finesse, and aromatic expression. Since 2016, all of Château Durfort-Vivens' cuvées have been certified biodynamic, ensuring particular attention to the preservation of soils and biodiversity.

The cuvées of Château Durfort-Vivens

Fine Wine: Château Durfort-Vivens

The estate's fine wine, Château Durfort-Vivens, is the purest and most refined expression of the Margaux terroir. Composed primarily of Cabernet Sauvignon, it captivates with its fine tannic structure, aromatic precision, and great aging potential. Aromas of red fruits, liquorice, and spices blend harmoniously, offering an elegant and complex wine.

Vivens (formerly Relais de Durfort-Vivens)

The estate's second wine, Vivens, is sourced from younger vines and specific plots. Since 2008, it has distinguished itself with a more approachable style, while retaining the hallmark of the Margaux terroir. Aged partly in amphorae and barrels, this wine offers a beautiful intensity of fruit, with supple tannins and a fine balance.

The single-vineyard cuvées: Les Plantes, Le Plateau, and Le Hameau

Since the 2019 vintage, Château Durfort-Vivens has also offered a series of single-vineyard cuvées, reflecting the diversity of its terroir. These wines are produced in limited quantities, each with its own individual style:

Les Plantes: A cuvée from young vines, offering a strict structure and firm tannins. This wine is perfect for lovers of powerful and concentrated wines.

Le Plateau: A more rounded wine, composed of 99% Cabernet Sauvignon, distinguished by its roundness and intense aromas of dark fruits.

Le Hameau: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, this cuvée presents a perfect balance between finesse and richness, with a beautiful depth.

Blanc de Noir (new release 2021)

In 2021, Château Durfort-Vivens introduced an innovative new cuvée: a white wine de noir, crafted from a blend of 50% Cabernet Franc and 50% Muscadelle. This wine, sold under the Vin de France appellation, surprises with its freshness and aromatic complexity.

The finest vintages of Margaux, one of the most prestigious wines of Bordeaux, are renowned for their finesse and elegance. Among the most remarkable years, one finds 1959, 1983, 1986, 1990, 1995, 1996, and 1999, celebrated for their complexity and longevity. More recent vintages such as 2000, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2014, 2015, and 2016 are also highly regarded for their structure and richness. Other years such as 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 confirm Margaux's consistency in producing exceptional wines, a symbol of Bordeaux excellence.

The Deuxièmes Crus Classés of 1855 form a prestigious category, bringing together iconic estates that often rival the first growths in quality. Among them, discover Château Brane-Cantenac and Château Durfort-Vivens, both located in Margaux, as well as Château Lascombes, Château Rauzan-Ségla, and Château Rauzan-Gassies. In Saint-Julien, enthusiasts will appreciate the wines of Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, Château Léoville Las Cases, Château Gruaud Larose, and the celebrated Château Léoville Poyferré and Château Léoville Barton. Also not to be missed are Château Cos d'Estournel and Château Montrose in Saint-Estèphe, as well as the essential Château Pichon Longueville Baron and Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande in Pauillac. 

Château Durfort-Vivens, 2nd Grand Cru Classé of Margaux, embodies both tradition and innovation. Thanks to Gonzague Lurton's passionate commitment and the adoption of biodynamic practices, this estate produces wines of exceptional finesse that captivate with their precision and unique expression of terroir. Whether through its Fine Wine, its single-vineyard cuvées, or its new white wine, Château Durfort-Vivens is an essential reference for lovers of great Bordeaux wines.

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